Former Akron Zip Monster Zeke Marshall On Cleveland Cavaliers Radar

By Joseph Nardone

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

There is that one scene in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy chants that “there’s no place like home” spiel. It is etched in cinematic history. Apparently, reportedly, the Cleveland Cavaliersalso think that there is no place like home for a 2013 NBADraft prospect.

Bob Finnan, of The News-Herald, has reported that former-Akron Zip behemoth, Zeke Marshall, worked out for the Cavaliers. Which would mean that if the Cavs were interested, MACtion’s favorite big would go super-early in the second round — which is really early considering what scouts think of Marshall.

You will not find a bigger Marshall supporter than myself, however, even though I know he is more likely a back-end second round pick than he is one near the top. Marshall’s greatest strength is his size, but his sluggish, lack of any form of athleticism will make it hard for him to stick to a roster. That is not to say he won’t find a job, but the NBA is a hard place for a 7-foot beast to stick if he can barely make it up and down the court.

One thing that Marshall does do really well, outside the already aforementioned being huge, is block shots. During his senior season with the Zips, Marshall averaged 3.6 blocks per game. If Cleveland decided to draft Nerlens Noel, then Marshall later on, that would be a lot of rejection going to one team.

The NBA Draft airs this Thursday on ESPN, NBA TV and a slew of other radio networks. If you want in-depth, precise and awesome coverage of draft prospects you never heard of, you can head over to Rant Sports’ NBA Draft Player Profile Page. It is well worth your time.